Captivating Capiz - History of Ivisan, Capiz

I. Name and Origin:
The name Ivisan came from the “IBIS”, small fish which abound in the place. They preserved by salting and drying.
During the Spanish era, the provincial governor appointed a continue composed of prominent men of the village and Spanish officials to coin the proper name of the locality.
They unanimously agreed to the name “Ibisan” due to the small fish “ibis” and later on officially accepted Ivisan instead of ibisan because of the preference of “V” to “B”.

II.Industries
Farming – tilling the lowlands and kaingin the uplands
Fishing – labay, hudhud, taba, bentol, laya tapangan, saliwsiwan
Buri weaving – bayo-ong, tampipi
Bamboo weaving – ropero nigo, taklob and taba for fishing
Salt making – ordinary salt and duldul (harded bake salt used as viand)

Pre Spanish Period.
Domestic and Social life
Home:
The primitive “taos” built no house but crude lean to shelter homes of palm of bamboo leaves fastened to frame to keep out from rain and heat of the sun.

III. Customs:
Courtship and Marriage
A man courted a lady and gets the consent of the parents of the girl and then proposals of wedding followed. The man had to render service to the parents of the girl called “PANGAGAD” like tilling the fields, pounding rice, fetching water, gathering firewood or building new house.

Pregnancy and Birth
These were accompanied by many superstitious like (a) a pregnant woman should not see and eclipse because the baby will be deformed, (b) if she happened to eat uncooked rice the baby will be dirty inside the womb, (c) if she conceives the fruit of a tree, the fruit will be sour or else the tree will die.
The umbilical cord was cut by a “tagkis” a piece of bamboo.

Religion
The natives had no religion, they were pegans. They worshipped the sun, moon, birds, animals, trees, anitos and diwatas.

IV.Community Life and Laws
The inhabitants settled by along the banks. They lived by fishing and those on the hillside and plains lived by catching wild animals and gathering wild fruits. The natives formed themselves into tribes or Barangay composed of 30 families. They selected a leader called datu or rajah who could lead in time of war or disputes. He also makes laws and act as judge.

Spanish Period
Domestic and Social Life

Almost the same as in the pre-Spanish era but still influenced by superstitious. The means of livelihood is the same – fishing and farming.
1815 – The pueblo was established. The first Governadorcillo was Don Eugenio Gerardo, appointed by a Spanish Friar.
1894 – A new reform in the government called “Reforma Nueva” changed the Governadorcillo to Captain Municipal; Sevillano Quiachon was appointed captain municipal.
1899 – Revolutionary reform changed the Captain Municipal to Presidente Local. Don Euginio Villagracia was appointed.
1902 – Captain Hipolito Vidal was responsible for the construction of the Catholic Church convent.
1911 – Election of the Municipal President Pedro Advincula was the first Municipal President, in his term, the Gabaldon Building was constructed.

American Period
Historical events and social progress

1901 – American government in Ivisan formally established run by the American themselves.
1914 – The road from Capiz was improved and extended to Ivisan. The railroad track was finished and the first train operated from Iloilo to Capiz. Years later, the port of Libas was opened and the boat called “Lagatik” made its first voyage from Manila to Capiz. The Panay Autobus operated for Iloilo, Capiz and Aklan passing Ivisan.
1920 – Philippine copra was exported. Ivisan developed copra industry. Rice produced in low land areas with the use of plow and carabao. Mechanized farming in San Juan Sugar Central, Dumalag by Mr. Thomas Ford Sr. the convent schools was continued. As early as 1901, the public schools were opened for both young and old. Education was compulsory with English as medium of instruction.

Local Government enacted laws for the welfare of the people.
Mayor Felipe Manalo opened a canal to facilitate water transportation to Balaring, Basiao and Cabugao.
Mayor Catalino Andrada establishes the Ivisan Elementary School.
Mayor Panfilo Mendoza put up the Gabaldon Building.



Japanese Occupation
Historical events and developments

April 2, 1942 Japanese Imperial forces came to Ivisan occupied the Poblacion and put up their garrison at the foot of the bridge opposite the church.
The pattern of living in the community abruptly changed. People left their homes and farms uncultivated for fear. The Japanese exerted effort to organize a civil government. The prewar Mayor Manuel Villaruz was inducted into office. Norberto Villarde was appointed Chief of Police. Japanese offers ordered teachers to organize classes. The church was used as classroom, the principal was Martiniano Andrada and the teachers were Basilia Gustilo, Marciana Valcarcel, Consolacion Didulo and Nancy Yap.
Mayor Esteban Andrada and Captain Leon Gamboa exerted effort to organize different army troops who did not surrender to the enemies.
In the latter part of the war sometime in 1944, a sporadic guerilla activity in Ivisan was aided by the Hublag Battalion which succeeded in raiding Japanese garrison in Loctugan.


The Third Republic
On July 1946, the Third Republic of the Philippines was born. It coincided with Independence Day of the United States of America. Don Manuel Villaruz was Mayor of Ivisan who served as Mayor from 1935-1946. On November 1947, election was held. Lluminado Villaruz was elected as mayor of Ivisan. During his term everything returned to normal.

Ivisan Town Fiesta “Buyloganay”
A Filipino culture heritage that may never ceases to exist for generation is the holding of Annual town fiesta, a tradition, influenced through the spread of Christianity in the country and more particular originated by the Catholic hierarchy whereby idolizing a certain saint as a patron. The municipality of Ivisan in its part celebrates its annual Municipal and Religious Fiesta in honor of its patron saint, St. Nicholas of Tolentino every September 10. Historical facts, however, do not show what activities were undertaken during the first fiesta celebration, but for many years now, the festivity lasts for five years starting September 3 and culminating on its feast day. Unlike the Barangay
Fiesta, the town fiesta celebration is usually associated with the theme be it cultural or current events that denotes significance to the association. Each and every year, the theme changes at the turn of events not until 1993 when members of the affair, patterned after the province festivals of Halaran, Ati-atihan and Dinagyang which is one word theme in the local dialect that will depict the culture of the locality and should express simplicity and uniqueness. (A management meeting was dialect that will depict the culture of their locality and should express simplicity and uniqueness). A management meeting was called for the matter, to be discussed and decided, and among the suggestion raised, BUYLOGANAY, a word typical on an Ivisan culture characterized by the gesture of unity and cooperation, turned out to be the one chosen as the permanent fiesta theme, thus BUYLOGANAY was conceived.
Lately, the fiesta management having been fascinated with the theme, further thought of organizing an association that will take responsibility of all fiesta celebration of the municipality. Upon agreement of all members in the meeting, the plan was carried out. An Association was organized and named BUYLOGANAY ASSOCIATION OF IVISAN (BAI), a non-stock, non-profit association with the objective to promote social-economic, cultural and training programs that will enhance livelihood development in the municipality. The Buyloganay Association of Ivisan was founded on July 6, 1995 and handled for the first time the fiesta affair which was a big success. With this initial achievement, the BAI looks forward to many more fiesta celebrations to spearhead.